Description
Creamy smoked cream cheese pasta delivers a luxurious Italian-inspired comfort meal with rich, smoky undertones. Hearty noodles blend seamlessly with velvety cheese, promising a delightful culinary experience you’ll savor to the last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 block (8 ounces / 226 grams) cream cheese
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine)
- 1 pint (473 milliliters) cherry tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) pasta water (reserved)
- ¼ cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Set up the smoker to 225F, selecting a mild wood like apple, cherry, or pecan to impart a delicate smokiness to the dish.
- Prepare the cream cheese by placing it in a cast iron skillet, drizzling with olive oil, and generously seasoning with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Prepare cherry tomatoes by coating them in olive oil, mincing garlic, and sprinkling with crushed red pepper flakes, then arranging them in a separate foil pan.
- Position both the seasoned cream cheese and tomatoes in the smoker, allowing them to infuse with smoky flavors for approximately two hours until the cream cheese becomes soft and fragrant.
- During the smoking process, cook the pasta according to package guidelines, carefully preserving a portion of the starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Once smoking is complete, transfer the smoked cream cheese and roasted tomatoes to a large mixing bowl, gently mashing and combining them to create a smooth, creamy base.
- Gradually incorporate the reserved pasta water into the mixture, stirring until a silky, luxurious sauce develops, coating the pasta with rich, smoky essence.
Notes
- Choose mild wood chips like apple or cherry to ensure a delicate smoky flavor without overpowering the cream cheese.
- Experiment with different spice blends to customize the smoked cream cheese’s taste profile, such as adding dried herbs or a pinch of cayenne for heat.
- Use fresh cherry tomatoes at peak ripeness for the most intense and sweet roasted flavor during smoking.
- Make the dish gluten-free by substituting regular pasta with zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta for added nutrition and dietary flexibility.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg